Waste Management

Project Overview
Living on an island, with limited space, waste disposal is a major issue. In the school setting, the two major sources are paper and lunch (food waste and paper/plastic waste). This project gives students an opportunity to investigate how much waste is produced at Hongwanji Mission School and to come up with solutions to lessen or eliminate this waste. It is also an opportunity for students to reflect on what the state of our island will be like if we continue with wasteful.

Driving Question

How can we manage waste at our school?
How can we use Statistics to make informed decisions?

Grading/Rubric

collaboration rubric – student generated
Statistics Rubric
math skills tests
presentation rubric
other

Statistic Rubric

Student Name:

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Working with Others	Student was an engaged partner, listening to suggestions of others and working cooperatively throughout lesson.	Student was an engaged partner but had trouble listening to others and/or working cooperatively.	Student cooperated with others, but needed prompting to stay on-task.	Student did not work effectively with others.
Explanation	Explanation is detailed and clear using correct terminology and notation all the time. Explain, elaborate, give examples.	Explanation is clear using correct terminology and notation sometimes.	Explanation is a little difficult to understand, but includes critical components.	Explanation is difficult to understand and is missing several components OR was not included.
Neatness and Organization	The work is presented in a neat, clear, organized fashion that is easy to read.	The work is presented in a neat and organized fashion that is usually easy to read.	The work is presented in an organized fashion but may be hard to read at times.	The work appears sloppy and unorganized. It is hard to know what information goes together.
Graph	Plot points accurately. Correct scales on axis. Label all parts of the graph. Create at least 2 types of graphs. Histograms, scatter plots, bar graphs or line graphs.	Plot points accurately. Correct scales on axis. Labeled some parts of the graph. Created one types of graphs. Histograms, scatter plots, bar graphs or line graphs.	Plot points accurately. Incorrect scales on axis. Labeled some parts of the graph. Created one types of graphs. Histograms, scatter plots, bar graphs or line graphs.	Missing major parts of the graphs.
Reflection	List limitation of the data were described. List of possible flaws in sampling. Suggestions for improvement.	Missing one of the following: Limitation of the data were described. List of possible flaws in sampling. Suggestions for improvement.	Missing two of the following: Limitation of the data were described. List of possible flaws in sampling. Suggestions for improvement.	Did not do reflection.
Mathematical Concepts	Explanation shows complete understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s). (Measures of Central tendencies)	Explanation shows substantial understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s).	Explanation shows some understanding of the mathematical concepts needed to solve the problem(s).	Explanation shows very limited understanding of the underlying concepts needed to solve the problem(s) OR is not written.

Learning Objectives

Apply math skills, data collection, surveys, data analysis, graphing, measurement, forecasting/projecting, others
Research skills - where does our garbage go?
Identify/examine areas where School is wasteful
Develop ways to lessen/eliminate waste
Create a presentation and present to Administration/Cafeteria
Identify and reflect on what would happen in the future
Apply teamwork/communication skills and problem-solving skills

Requirements (What you’ll do!)

Review/learn data collection
1. population
2. Random sampling
Types of graphs
1. when to use
2. how to make each type
  1. by hand
  2. on the computer
Designing and conducting a survey
1. generate survey questions
  1. hypothesis
2. collecting data
3. graph and analyze data
4. Use information to predict future events
Investigate the wastefulness at the School
1. cafeteria
2. classroom
Create survey about school lunches (for 3rd - 8th grade)
hypothesize that the top 3 lunch are and give reasons
measure amount of school lunch consumed (5th grade only)
1. collect data, graph and analyze
2. compare results to hypothesis
Estimate the amount of waste generated in classroom
1. use this to estimate amount of waste for School
calculate actual amount of waste generated in classroom
1. Predict actually amount of waste for school
2. give reasons why or why not this is an accurate measure
3. graph results
4. Analyze results: Does this measure accurately reflect what the favorite school lunch is?
Come up with ways to cut down waste at the School
1. create a presentation to illustrate ideas
2. What is the cost effectiveness of these changes?
3. present to audience.
Reflect on the Future of Oahu if wastefulness continues.

Final Product

presentation to other groups, parents, administration, Cafeteria
Reflection of future or Hawaii's waste problem

Timeline
Project is slated for 2nd Trimester.

Lesson #	Project Tasks and Due Dates
Week 1	Surveys data collection graphing Analyzing graphs and data creating graphs creating a survey and graph result what is inferred in the graph how will this data help us in the future
Week 2	Examine wastefulness at the School Create School Lunch survey conduct survey, graph results, and analyze data
Week 2-3	Weight school lunch and calculate food waste graph and analyze data
Week 3	1. Create a presentation about how how reduce waste at the School 2. Present to audience

Challenge/Extension Options

find nutritional value of School Lunch
How to Improve the Lunch Menu

Statistics Project

Waste Management